Schools
across the state will be phasing in new science standards that set
expectations for what students should know and be able to do from
prekindergarten through grade 12.

The new standards went into effect in July 2017, and will
be phased in slowly over the course of several years, with full
implementation by the 2020-21 school year. They replace science
standards adopted back in 1996.

The state will also phase in a full set of Pre-K-12
learning standards, known as the
Next Generation Learning Standards, for math and English language
arts over the next few years.

Adopted by the New York State Board of Regents in
December 2016, the P-12 Science Learning Standards were developed over
five years with input from teachers, administrators, business leaders
and parents. The standards are based on frameworks established by the
National Research Council and Achieve Inc.

Standards are not curriculum and don't tell teachers
how to teach. Rather, they are learning goals and expectations for what
students should know and be able to do at each grade. Schools and
teachers establish their own curricula and decide what to teach when and
how, based on the state’s learning standards.

State tests will not change for a while

New state exams will need to be developed to align
with the new standards, but no timeline has been set. Until then, 4th
and 8th grade students will continue to take existing state exams in the
spring, and all science-based Regents exams will stay the same.

More attention to real-world application and
deeper knowledge

Students will explore and engage in science as it’s
done in the real world, including through the introduction of
engineering practices at all grade levels. They’ll also incorporate
skills that scientists and engineers use every day to investigate and
solve problems, such as asking questions, developing models and
interpreting data. Students’ understanding will grow as they begin to
see a clear connection between what they learn from one year to the next
and across subjects, such as English and math.

Why new science standards were developed

To keep pace with a changing world:

There have been major advances in science and
research on how students learn. Since the state’s previous standards
were adopted in 1996.

To better prepare students:

A strong foundation in science helps students think
critically, analyze information and solve problems—skills that are
necessary for their everyday lives.

To build a strong future workforce

Nationwide, there are millions of unfilled positions
in science, technology, engineering and math.